Such measures bar gang members from associating with each other or displaying colors, among other sanctions, in certain areas of town. * * * Gang injunctions have been used in California since the 1980s. The California Supreme Court upheld their use in 1997, ruling that San Jose could use the tactic.

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03/16/2009

The gang, whose members are mostly of Dominican descent, operated and controlled drug trafficking on at least four city blocks, from West 171st to 174th Streets, according to the office of the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York. Various members sold marijuana, fake ecstasy, cocaine and crack cocaine, the office said, and "committed acts of violence to protect and expand their drug-trafficking operation and to protect fellow members of the organization."

The 250-member gang was formed in prison to protect its own from the Latin Kings and the Bloods:

Officials believe the gang's name, Trinitarios, signifies "Trinity Brotherhood." They say the group has a rich history, with beginnings in the 1800s as a band of freedom fighters in the Dominican Republic. It was regenerated within the state prison system, including at Rikers Island, and broadened onto the streets of New York where members' "ability to conduct narcotics trafficking were facilitated by their ties to the Dominican Republic," according to a federal official.

The 15-month investigation originally targeted Falls-based members of the notorious Bloods street gang. However, investigators said over time it "morphed" to include other small groups. Among the local gangs caught up in the sweep were Highland World, 9th & Wild and 18 Block. "What we were seeing was the same individuals involved in drug dealing, home invasions — every 'shots fired' call, it was the same people," Falls Narcotics Capt. Morris Shamrock said. "Our initial target was the Bloods because they appeared to be the most organized. Then we discovered that there were some secondary groups as well. Some of these groups are affiliated with the Bloods."

Mary Ditri, director of professional practice for the New Jersey Hospital Association, said the association reached out to the parole board after altercations involving gang members were reported in other states. "Rather than wait and be reactive, we wanted to be proactive and arm hospital workers with awareness just of how to do their jobs better," she said. * * * With the information from the presentation, hospital workers, particularly security, could help stave off altercations between suspected gang members and employees, or between rival gangs.

New Jersey has more than 190 different gangs with approximately 10,000 to 25,000 members, and its largest gangs include the Bloods, Crips, Latin Kings, MS-13, 18 Street, Dominicans Don't Play, Netas and Five Percenters.

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